LJ Martin Cements Name In BYU Football Rushing History
Aug 30, 2025, 8:02 PM
BYU junior RB LJ Martin entered the top-25 for BYU rushers all-time after gaining 131 yards in the first half against Portland State. (Courtesy BYU Photo)
(Courtesy BYU Photo)
PROVO, Utah – LJ Martin has been a force for BYU in the home-opener against Portland State, punishing Viking defenders for 131 yards on eight first half carries. Martin needed just 75 yards to become one of the top-25 rushers in BYU football history.
The BYU Cougars began the 2025 season by hosting the Portland State Vikings at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, August 30.
BYU vs. Portland State: Live Updates, Analysis, And More From Provo
LJ Martin turned on the jets for this 49-yard run💨 #Big12FB | 📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/LmN4LQScV0
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) August 31, 2025
Martin started fast, picking up 63 yards on three carries in the first period.
He averaged 16.4 yards per carry in the half, including two 40+ yard runs, helping BYU to a 42-0 halftime lead.
Former BYU running back Kalin Hall, father of former QB Jaren Hall, began the day 25th on the Cougars’ all-time rushing list.
About LJ Martin
Listed at 6’2 and 220 pounds, Martin was a three-star prospect and won the 2025 5A MVP and district championship while playing at Canutillo High School.
The El Paso, Texas, native ran for 4,874 yards and 52 touchdowns in his final two prep seasons. He added 15 catches for 376 yards and six touchdowns, and showcased his passing ability with two completions for 31 yards and a TD.
Martin also earned a letter in track and was a two-time all-district first-team honoree.
He began his BYU career by leading the program in rushing as a true freshman. Marting carried the football 109 times for 518 yards and four touchdowns in 2023.
LJ Martin’s first TD run as a #BYU Cougar. pic.twitter.com/2HFK4pTeyr
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 17, 2023
Martin was limited to ten games last season, but still finished tenth on the Big 12 rushing leaders list with 723 yards. His seven touchdowns were seventh in the conference.
He enters 2025 on the Doak Walker Award watchlist, given annually to the top running back in college football after earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention as a sophomore.
Martin’s father, John, played basketball at Western New Mexico. His mother, Genevieve, was a softball player at Western New Mexico.
BYU Cougars 2025 Schedule (0-0, 0-0)
- Saturday, August 30 – Portland State Vikings @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff 6 p.m. MT
- Saturday, September 6 – Stanford Cardinal @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff 8:15 p.m. MT
- BYE
- Saturday, September 20 – BYU Cougars @ East Carolina Pirates | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, September 27 – BYU Cougars @ Colorado Buffaloes | Kickoff 8:15 p.m. MT
- Friday, October 3 – West Virginia Mountaineers @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff 8:30 p.m. MT
- Saturday, October 11 – BYU Cougars @ Arizona Wildcats | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, October 18 – Utah Utes @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, October 25 – BYU Cougars @ Iowa State Cyclones | Kickoff TBA
- BYE
- Saturday, November 8 – BYU Cougars @ Texas Tech Red Raiders | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, November 15 – TCU Horned Frogs @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, November 22 – BYU Cougars @ Cincinnati Bearcats | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, November 29 – UCF Knights @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
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Find BYU’s entire 2025 football schedule here.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
Follow the BYU Cougars with KSL Sports here.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
